Meet Our Staff: Directors

Patty Goldstick holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education. Before joining Shaaray Tefila, she served as Director of the Temple Israel Center Nursery School in White Plains and led Kulanu, a supplemental Hebrew High School in Stamford, CT. Patty began her career teaching nursery school and kindergarten and later worked extensively as a Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) in early childhood programs throughout Westchester and New York City, supporting children with diverse learning needs. She is a founding member and former Executive Director of Congregation Tehillah in Riverdale, NY, and played a key role in the revitalization of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Manhattan, where she served as Director of Family & Youth Activities and later as Director of Programming & Volunteers. Patty has three children—Caleb, Isabela, and Max—and a beloved labradoodle, Ziggy. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, pickleball, reading, and dancing.

Contact Patty at 914-307-0464

Debbie Belowich joined the teaching staff at Temple Shaaray Tefila in August 2022. She holds a dual Master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education as well as a professional diploma in School District Administration. Prior to teaching at Shaaray, Debbie taught at Temple Beth El in Chappaqua where she was a head 3s teacher, ran enrichment activities, and taught third grade Religious school. Before that, Debbie spent ten years working as a lead teacher and education coordinator for TheraCare, an agency that provides special education services. Debbie enjoys hiking, reading, and practicing yoga, and loves chocolate. She lives in Chappaqua with her husband, Brian and two daughters, Alexa and Talia.

Contact Debbie at (914) 307-0476

Michaela Freitas has been working in the Early Childhood field for 10+ years. Prior to joining the ECC Michaela worked as a teacher assistant. In 2017 Michaela joined the ECC staff as an administrative assistant then in 2023 she became the Assistant Director of Administration. During her time here at The ECC Michaela has subbed in the classrooms, helped with our camp program and assists with the daily operations of our Early Childhood Program. In her spare time Michaela enjoys traveling, participating in seasonal activities and most importantly spending time with her family, in particular her niece and nephew Charlotte and Jackson with whom she adores!

Contact Michaela at 914-307-0472

Teachers and ECC Staff

Before joining the ECC family, Randi Apter worked in the entertainment industry, but her love of teaching children led her to join the ECC team in 2017. She worked as an Assistant Teacher in the 2s for two years before joining the 4s team. Randi loves seeing the smiling faces of the children when they accomplish a task, whether it’s sorting similar objects, writing their name or throwing or catching a ball. Randi lives in Briarcliff Manor, NY with her husband Mark, their two children Emily and Brandon and their dog Brody. Randi graduated from Ithaca College.

Wendy Bender joined the ECC staff in fall 2024. She previously taught the 2s at the Stamford JCC’s Greenwich preschool program and spent over 20 years as a clinical social worker in both mainstream and special education settings in New York City. Wendy earned her Master’s degree from the Columbia University School of Social Work and holds NYS certification as a School Social Worker. During her time in the city, she gained extensive experience working with young children, families, teachers, and specialists. After moving to the suburbs, Wendy chose to combine her professional and personal experiences as a social worker, educator, and parent by teaching preschool. She lives in Armonk with her husband, Eric, their two teenage children, Jack and Sophia, and their Shih Tzu, Rudi.

Bonnie Bromberg has worked in early childhood education for 20 years. Eleven years were spent co-teaching and assistant teaching (every age level) in the ECC at the Rosenthal JCC in Pleasantville and, for the last nine years, she has been working here at the ECC, in the capacity of Assistant Teacher for Threes to Be, Threes and Fours. She considers the ECC team her other family and the ECC a place that makes her smile everyday. She loves teaching and learning from inquisitive and happy children. She earned a BA in Speech Pathology from Queens College and a Masters in Speech Pathology from NYU. Bonnie resides in Briarcliff Manor with her husband Steven. She has two grown daughters, who are also educators. In her spare time, she enjoys music, cooking, baking and spending time with friends and family, which includes her favorite furry (pet) grandchildren.

Marian Campian is working on her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. She’s been studying early childhood since high school when she went to a career education program at a local BOCES campus. Marian joined the ECC as a student intern in 2021, then was a one-on-one teacher in 2022, and was happy to officially join the ECC staff in the fall of 2023. She currently lives with her grandparents and two cats, Shadow and Scarlet, in Bedford. Marian’s hobbies are running, hiking, and enjoying family time.

Megan Elkowitz joined the ECC at Temple Shaaray Tefila in 2023. Prior to joining our team, she worked with 2s and 3s at the JCC in Greenwich and spent several summers as a counselor at Breezemont Day Camp. Before beginning her career in early childhood education, Megan spent more than 20 years in the fashion industry. Megan has always loved working with young children and is grateful to be part of the ECC family. She enjoys creating a warm, engaging classroom where children can learn, explore, and grow with confidence. When she’s not at school, Megan enjoys working out, hiking, baking, making art, and expressing her creativity. She lives in Westchester with her husband, their two children, and their dog.

Kayleigh Follis-Leeser is thrilled to join the ECC staff as a 2s teacher and will also be leading the school’s toddler and after-school music classes. With over 15 years of experience in early childhood education and music, she has worked with children from birth through age five in a variety of educational settings. Most recently, she taught 2s and mixed-age nursery school classes at Temple Sholom in Greenwich, CT. Kayleigh is a certified Music Together® teacher, former Music Together instructor, and founder of Bubbles & Beats LLC, an early childhood music, movement, and sensory enrichment program serving families throughout Westchester and CT. Kayleigh is passionate about creating joyful, inclusive learning experiences where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to learn.

Jessica Goldberg‘s love for Temple Shaaray Tefila, combined with her passion for young children and Jewish education, naturally led her to the ECC. A congregant and former Temple Board member, Jessica began her journey at the ECC as a substitute teacher in 2014. She later served as an assistant teacher for several years before becoming a head teacher. Jessica studied education at Lesley College and Teachers College and is dedicated to creating a joyful classroom community where children feel encouraged to express themselves, explore, create, and develop a lifelong love of learning. The warm, nurturing environment of the ECC makes it her happy place and she looks forward each day to greeting the bright, smiling faces of her students. When she’s not at school, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband, Lee, their children, Emily and Ethan, and their two dogs, Poppie and Abe.

Kenny Green has been a highly respected teacher and performer in family and Jewish music in the NYC tri-state area since the mid-1980s. An accomplished musician on guitar, banjo, mandola, ukulele, and electric bass, he has performed at schools, synagogues, summer camps, public libraries, and has headlined family shows at the 92nd Street Y. Kenny has served as Music Director of the Westchester Klezmer Program since 2001 and has produced the Westchester Jewish Music & Arts Festival for the past decade. A beloved Shaaray Tefila staff member since 1995, Kenny teaches in the ECC and Religious School, accompanies the Rabbi at Shabbat and holiday services, and leads the TST house band. He lives in northern Westchester with his wife and daughter.

Linda Greenberg had been teaching at the ECC for over eighteen years. After heading the Toddler & Me program, she worked as a 2s Assistant Teacher and then served as a 3s Head Teacher. Linda developed and now teaches the Studio Art program at the ECC. She feels fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time with each one of the children while sharing open-ended, emergent art experiences. She also runs our intergenerational Grandfriends gatherings. Linda loves the annual ECC Art Exhibit when young artists and their families have the opportunity to admire all the works of art!

Amy Umansky Kahn received a BA in Education from George Washington University. She taught first grade for twenty-five years in the Springfield, NJ public school system and was a long-term substitute teacher in the Livingston, NJ public school system. Since retiring, she has worked as an assistant teacher with the 4s at Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, NJ. Raised in New Rochelle, NY, Amy now lives in Somers, near her family. She has two married sons, and two granddaughters. She loves to read, travel, bake, and see Broadway shows.

Susanna Kaplan joined the ECC as a Young 2s teacher and is excited to be moving into our 2s program this school year. She has been working with young children for many years and is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and joyful classroom where every child feels valued and encouraged to learn through play and exploration. Prior to joining the ECC, Susanna spent four years supporting adults with developmental disabilities, an experience that strengthened her patience, empathy, and ability to build meaningful relationships. Susanna lives in White Plains with her family and looks forward to helping each child grow with confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning.

Jane Kendes has a Master’s degree in early childhood education. For the past 30 years she has been a nursery school teacher working with toddlers, 2s, 3s and 4s. She especially loves exploring nature, making music and cooking with young children. She has two grown sons and lives in Hartsdale with her husband and dog, Teddy. When not teaching, she loves yoga, dance, hiking, biking and kayaking.

Veronika Losonczi-Edouard is delighted to be part of the ECC community, where her son is also a student in our 4s program. Before joining Temple Shaaray Tefila, Veronika taught 3- and 4-year-olds at an early learning center and has been working with young children since 2017. Veronika holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She is passionate about creating a warm, engaging classroom where children feel supported as they learn, grow, and discover the world around them. Outside of school, Veronika enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling.

Georgia Mischka graduated from the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre and worked as an actress in New York City and California. She opened and ran a 70 seat nonprofit off-Broadway theater in NYC and taught theater to teenagers throughout NYC public high schools. Since 2010, she has been teaching nursery school in Westchester and NYC sharing her creativity and love of the arts with young children.

Garynn Rodner has been at the ECC at Temple Shaaray Tefila since August 2022 as an Assistant Teacher. Garynn’s father, Jeffrey Rodner, was a founding member of the Temple and her family belonged for many years. Prior to joining Shaaray, Garynn worked at Temple Beth El ECC in Chappaqua for four years where she was an Assistant Teacher in the 2s and 3s classes. Garynn grew up in Bedford and moved back over 20 years ago to raise her two children, Taylor and Hunter, who attended the ECC at Shaaray. Garynn loves spending time with family and friends and enjoys taking long walks with her dog, Brody.

Judy Ruskin has been on staff at Temple Shaaray Tefila since 2005 in the Early Childhood Center and has taught in the Religious School for the past 10 years. During her tenure, she taught for many years in 2s and 4s classes. This year, she is pleased to be working as a floater in the ECC while continuing as a Hebrew teacher in the Religious School. Judy has two grown children and resides in Armonk in an “empty nest” with her husband, Jim. She feels privileged to work at the Temple where she is able to impart her love and knowledge of Judaism to even our youngest ECC students.

Ilana Saposh has a Master’s degree in education. She taught first and second grade in Riverdale and Pelham, and worked with preschool aged children for the past 14 years. Ilana loves working with preschoolers because every day is different and watching the children discover new things is so rewarding. Ilana lives in White Plains with her husband, Rob, and they have three daughters. In her free time she loves to read, try new recipes and take long walks.

With a Masters of Social Work (MSW) from New York University, Cynthia Schmitt began her career working in Staten Island as a therapist focusing on children aged 3-16. After relocating to Westchester County, she continued her work in early childhood development in The New York State Early Intervention (EI) program, first at a special education preschool and later as a Family Trainer in the EI field. As Cynthia’s children, Nathan and Gwyneth – both proud graduates of the ECC- grew older, Cynthia returned to the workforce as an Ongoing Service Coordinator in EI. Cynthia enjoys taking walks with her dog, Jett, and spending time with family and friends. Cynthia is very excited to be joining the ECC family in a professional capacity and looks forward to supporting children and their families during these formative years.

Ally Wolland is a wife and mother of three boys—Ethan, Emmett, and Eli—and their sweet apricot-colored Bichpoo, Avery. Her youngest son, Eli, attended preschool at the ECC, and after such a positive experience, Ally was excited to join the Shaaray Tefila family. She earned a BA in Speech Pathology and Audiology and has been an active volunteer in the Byram Hills School District for over 16 years. Ally previously served for six years on the board of the Byram Hills Education Foundation and currently sits on the parent leadership board at Georgia Tech. She is passionate about helping children feel safe, happy, and confident as members of the school community. When not working at school, Ally enjoys reading, cooking and baking, and playing tennis. Ally lives in Bedford with her husband, Jahn, and their boys.

Project SEED

Project SEED (Supporting Early Emotional Development) is a collaboration between Westchester Jewish Community Services and the Jewish Education Project and is designed to help synagogue-based nursery schools offer support to ECC families and staff by providing a school Social Worker. Jessica Piecyk is our SEED consultant/Social Worker and an integral component of our school community. She is currently the WJCS Assistant Executive Director of Jewish Programs, Health & Healing Services and Managing Director of Early Childhood Programs. Prior to coming to WJCS, Jessica received a BA in Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in policy for children living in poverty from Columbia University and an MSW from New York University. Jessica has been working at WJCS for 10 years and is passionate about social emotional well-being in early childhood. She works together with teachers, parents and our ECC Director to understand children developmentally and address challenges in the classroom with behavior, curriculum, and group dynamics. She is available to support parents individually and in groups to understand their children and to obtain help if needed to facilitate their child’s optimal development.